A Look at the History of the Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S, though launching in 2012, was originally announced in 2008. This announcement came just five years after the company was established. The introduction of the Model S signalled a major beginning for the electric car manufacturer.
Before the Model S, Tesla produced the Roadster. This first car was heavily based on the Lotus Elise, and it demonstrated that all-electric production cars could be both stylish and practical. The Roadster was the first all-electric production car to travel more than 320 km (200 miles) on a single charge.
However, Elon Musk and the Tesla team had a different intention for the company’s future. They aimed to bring electric cars to the masses, which required a more practical car than the sports-focused Roadster. The four-door Model S was designed as their initial step towards achieving this goal.
The official press release concerning the Model S development came on 30 June 2008. A prototype was later shown at a press conference on March 26 the following year.
During early development, there were reports that Tesla was planning a range-extended version of the Model S. This version would have featured a petrol or gasoline engine to increase driving range. That idea was cancelled in September 2008, when Elon Musk announced that Tesla would develop electric cars only.
Originally, the board planned to produce the Model S at a factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This idea changed, and in May 2010, it was announced that the car would be produced at the former NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, California, now known as the Tesla Factory.
By 2011, Tesla was prepared to show off a full prototype of the production Model S. One year later, the car entered proper production.
Read the full guide: Tesla Model S Buyers Guide
